What is the permit for? Why are you having to pull the permit and not a contractor who would know the answers to those questions?

 

Take your paperwork to the city and explain to the people there that you do not know what it is exactly they are looking for/asking.

They will probably be more than helpful in assisting you.

 

thanks, guys. its a long messy story, but i purchased my house in 2009. in 2008 the previous owner changed the outdoor unit and the installer did not pull a permit. so the city recently left me a violation notice for no permit. they don't care that i didnt own the property when the unit was illegally installed, and are way less than helpful in the situation. they want me to pay the 4 times the permit fee and fill out a bunch of paperwork that i have no idea how to do... anyhow, I've got most of the information and this "HEAT STRIP" thing is my last obstacle before I can file the papers...

 

Sounds like the inspector is really being unreasonable. It's one thing to require a permit...I agree it should have one pulled. But to penalize a home owner who didn't own the home or contract the work to be done sounds very unreasonable. Normally that would come back on the company that installed it so if you have any information on that I'd make sure the city knows about it.

You might also call the city attorney and ask them some questions regarding this. Sometimes you can get the right people on the phone that make all the difference.

In any case if the inspector is being this much of a hard case he's likely going to "find" plenty wrong so be prepared.

 

It's not YOUR problem a permit wasn't pulled.
It's the contractor that didn't pull a permit.

Whoever caught it, is being an arse.

I agree with hunter.

 

typically when you purchase a home, there is an inspection, and also comp prices. the comps usually have pictures of your home, and the similiar ones. if the unit is in the pic, send the city a note stating you are not a contractor, didnt install or have it installed, and tell them you are not playing their game. how exactly can you pull permit with no insurance or license? eff them.

 

The model number of the heat strips will usually have a number like 5 10 15 or 20 in it. That gives the kw.

 

thanks for the replies - i just want to be able to pay it and make it go away. the only other thing i can think to do is get a lawyer and don't think thats doable for my budget

 

Interestingly enough, most permit related stuff does not involve a lawyer. It's just not "court" stuff. It's pretty informal.

 

4 Times the fee ? What brought the inspector to your home ? If that were me, I wouldnt pay it. Find out who installed it and send the inspector after them. Where is it you live ?

If you plan on just paying it, I wouldnt pay the 4 times fee, just the regular cost.

Oh, by the way. If this is just a cooling unit and not a heat pump, there will be on heat strips.

I would have a talk with the head building inspector or the town council.

 

Most 2 ton units have either a 5 kw or a 1o kw . What I would do is call the original owner and tell them that in the sellers disclosure that the failed to disclose to you that the hvac unit was installed without a permit and you need them to take care of it and at least get the contractors name

 

I use to work for a government agency and I had the authority to write civil fines for violations of the rules ( I could also write stop work orders and issue reinspection fees). My cites could push a thousand a day per a violation. As part of our rules we could site the property owner, permit holder, engineering company, the person who did the work, and the company the person worked for. We could give everyone a fine, or just a single person, and if someone wanted to argue the citation it was up to the hearings officer to decide what to do. Most of the time we tried to go after the primary offender. Usually lawyers did not get involved till well over $20,000 in fines. Most of the time we tried not to bother single family homes since we had to many other larger problems. Now with the decrease in new construction the inspectors now have more time to interact with single family homes. I am not saying people will get fines but people have a better chance of seeing an inspector for stuff that use to get overlooked. Goverment agencies are really money hungry since they are not receiving money from new construction so yes he will be required to pay the permit fees and possibly the penalties. Unless there is more to the story he might be able to get out of the penalties but he has not spoken with the correct person.

 

thanks for all the replies. The situation is almost exactly like the last poster states. the city is threatening $1,000 per day fines until i get it taken care of. I'm sure I could fight it but it's such a hassle and I just want to be done with it. it's worth paying (up to a point) for something like this to go away, in my opinion. I'm just concerned I could lose my house over something stupid like this if they decide to start fining me $1K a day.

I believe I 've identified the heat strip KW as 15? Does that sound accurate for a 2 ton guardian unit attached to a 1,200 square foot house?

 

15 kw is probably what is in there. Thats probably more than you need however. The next time you have a maintenance done, ask your tech to see if all three strips are being used. One strip can be disconnected to save a little electricity, if you want. Don't try it yourself.

 

No one mentioned the OP could locate, or the inspector can, the person/company who installed or at least bought the unit.

The equipment, if it contained refrigerant, has a model and serial number, and that number is in some supply house's computer, linked to somebody's CFC certificate.

While what an inspector can do is one thing, what they can get by with in the court of public appeals is another. I suggest the OP tell the inspector that he is not responsible, ask for the inspector's supervisor and have a talk with him/her. The talk with the supervisor should be done reasonably and with the brand, model and serial number in hand.

That way you are providing the supervisor a way to gracefully handle the problem by going after the person at fault, while allowing him to appear to be supporting his employees. Giving folks a chance to save face often goes a long way.

 

Correction on my last post

" If this is just a cooling unit and not a heat pump, there will be NO heat strips."